Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Every time the matter has been raised by us, we have been told it is due to the international situation. It is instead the result of huge waste across a range of projects and appalling mismanagement over recent years. This needs to be discussed in this House as soon as possible. I ask for a debate in this House before the summer recess on the economic situation.

On a different topic, I ask the Leader to bring the concerns of the House about the situation in Zimbabwe to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and to highlight the all-party motion which was passed by the House. It is an appalling situation in which the opposition leader can no longer contest the election because of fears of violence. We want this country to make every effort at international meetings.

My requests today are for an amendment to the Order of Business to have a discussion on the economic situation so that some reality can be injected into our discussions, and for the Leader to raise the situation in Zimbabwe with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.